The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-01-19
THE SOLDIER AND THE STATESMAN.
BY REV. II. W. THOMAS.

The last Sabbath of 1886 will long be re-
membered as the day upon which Senator
John A. Logan died The old year in pass
ing away could hardly have found and taken
with it any other of our more than fifty
millions of people whose going hence would
have been more deeply felt and sincerely
mourned than that of this distinguished
civil and military leader. The expressions
of grief throughout the country have been
universal and sincere. Death is benefi-
cent angel; and in its presence the differ
ences that divide men in the battle and the
strife of the living are soon forgotten, and
the good that was in those who stood on
posed to us in debate or in politics is gladly
confessed. And thus it is that the press of
the entire land is unit in praising the
many noble and manly qualities of the de
parted statesman and General.
But such was the life of General Logan
that it needed not the presence of this ben
eticent angel 10 reveal its great worth. To
be distinguished both as a soldier and
ciyilian-as n General in the army and q
Senator in the National Congress-is in
itself greatness to which but few can hope
10 attain. General Logan had filed both
these positions with credit and honor 10
himself and TO the country, and hence he
was respected and honored by those against
whom he fought, and loved by the soldiers
and politicians on whose side he stood. AS
a soldier, General Logan filled every posi-
ton from private up to that OF General
with the same fidelity and ability, and he
seemed to command a brigade or a division
with as much ease as company or a regi-
ment. Indeed, it is entirely probable that
had circumstances required or called him TO
it, he could have taken the place of a
Grant or Sherman. While he had pru-
dence, he had not fear; and he had the
power of infusing into others his own
courage and hope, and hence his success in
the day of battle. And he was as gentle to
fallen foe as he was brave in meeting an
enemy. Such qualities always command
admiration.
1t cannot be said that Senator Logan was
in the highest sense statesman; that is,
that he was deeply learned in the phloso-
ply and principles of government and in
national and international law. To be
such requires not only great mental power
but special education and training and
experience. Senator Logan had the mind
TO have mastered all these, but his time
and energies were not directed to this
special field. He was, however, generally
well-iDformed, able, practical, and, above
all, an honest statesman. 1t is safe to say
that he never knowingly did little or mean
thing. He seemed TO be the very embodi-
ment of manliness, of honor, and of
honesty. He made no pretensions to great
scholastic attainments; but, with clear,
strong mind, and an honest and fearless
heart, he sought to do his duty, and for
such noble qualities he was honored In life,
and his memory will he sacred.
General Logan was the soldiers friend
and leader in war and in peace; and he was
| the peoples candidate and leader in poll
tics. The explanation is in this, that he
was man of the people, lived near them;
loved them, and labored for their welfare;
and hence was trusted and loved In return.
No other one man had in so large sense
| the love and confideISc of the volunteer
soldiers of the entire country. 1--WE have
lost our best friend" was the sad exclama-
| ton heard from thousands of soldiers all
over the land when il was known that Gen
eral Logan was dead. Strong men, who
had faced death on the field of battle with
out fear, wept tears of love and sorrow
when IL was said that their old commander
had passed from earth.
General Logan was comparatively a
young man, and, il would seem, should
| have had many years vet in which to 5, rye
his country and complete his work in this
| world And so were Generals Grant and
/ Mcclellan young, compared with the age OF
| Gladstone, and Emperor William, and Bis
! marck. Indeed, Ii ~ sad fact that so
many of the public men of our country die
Young, and the same is true of many OF cur
! business men. In the countries of the Old
| World il is not expected tn t the best work
of Ii shall be done before the age of fifty;
but in our New World young men rush
into business or professional life, or into
the army. before they are thorou lilly de-
yeloped and hardened to stand the great
strain that must come upon them, and
hence so many die young. And then. the
| exposures and the hardships of the war are
beginning to tell upon those who Q capped
death upon the battle field or in the hospi-
tai They We're young and strong then, but
now, after twenty five years, they find that
they have not the reserve force TO resist dis
ease that men of their age should have.
| That reserve force was drawn upon and
used up in the long marches through cold
| and heat. and rain and snow, and in hunger
often, and the many terrible strains upon
mind and b. dy. The deaths because of the
| war should number nearly all of the thou
sands Of soldiers who have died siuce the
war closed-ded, not from old age, but
from the seeds Of disease sown then, or
the weakness that resulted from It's hard
ships. Such was the cause of General
| Logans death.
1t is not well to say that poverty is vir-
tue, nor thatit is always q mark of honesty